The Pandith G. P. Wickramarachchi Memorial International Research Symposium conducted for the fourth time was held from 7 to 9 November 2012 at the Bandaranayake Memorial International Conference Hall, Colombo. The symposium was organized under the guidance of the Director of Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute, Prof. Janitha A. Liyanage. It was an excellent opportunity for Ayurveda researchers to present their papers at international level.

Many scholars both local and overseas participated in this grand academic event of the year. Amongst the personnel participated were Honorable Minister of Indigenous Medicine, Mr. Salinda Dissanayake, the Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navarathna, the Chairman of the University Grants Commission Prof. Gamini Samaranayake, the acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Prof. Lakshman Senevirathne, Dr. Upali Pilapitiya, Mr. Upali Rathnayake of the Ministry of Tourism, Deans of all the Faculties of Kelaniya University, Heads of Departments and lecturers of the Institute. The most renowned Indian Ayurvedic Professors including Prof. Chandolla, Prof. P. K. Ashok, Prof. Manjunath Shrma, Prof. Chakrapani Sharma, Dr. Krishna Milarge and many other Ayurvedic doctors of India too were present at the Symposium. The event was sponsored by Nature Secret and Sri Lanka Science Foundation Institute.

The symposium is one of the key academic events of Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute. This year, it was organized under the theme of Recent Advances in Ayurvedic and Natural Medicines for Human Wellbeing, where a common platform was set to relevant researchers to share their experience and disseminate the new knowledge created in their research. Over 125 research papers were presented in this symposium, which in itself, is an obvious indication of the success of the event at international level.

There has been evidence of growing demand for Ayurvedic treatment, not only among Asians countries but also in European countries. As a consequence, a numbers of Ayurvedic branches which have contemporary significance have gained tremendous progress during the recent past. The overall development of Ayurveda stems from conferences like these and the research papers presented in this conference will undoubtedly contribute to accelerate this trend. The contributions made by researchers in this event should, therefore, be appreciated.

The prime objective of the research papers presented at the symposium was to reveal the interesting aspects of indigenous medicine to the world today and create awareness in health conservation through Ayurvedic system of medicine.

The Institute extends its gratitude to all who contributed in fulfilling this objective.